In a season that was supposed to be about solidifying their status among the Premier League’s elite, Newcastle United suffered a damaging setback at Molineux on Sunday.
Facing a Wolverhampton Wanderers side that started the day rooted to the bottom of the table, the Magpies produced a toothless performance that will leave fans questioning their top-four credentials.
Despite dominating possession for long periods in the rain-soaked West Midlands, Eddie Howe’s side looked devoid of ideas, eventually settling for a frustrating goalless draw.
The match was a difficult watch for the traveling supporters. For more than an hour, Newcastle failed to record a single shot on target. While they did come close in the first half Malick Thiaw’s header rattled the woodwork from a Kieran Trippier corner they never truly asserted their dominance.
Wolves, a team many expect to be playing Championship football next season, dug deep and fought for every blade of grass. As the clock ticked down, Jose Sa was finally forced into a few late saves from Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton, but the “shock” was already complete: Newcastle had failed to beat the league’s worst-performing team.
The player ratings reflect a squad that seemed to be running on empty. While the defense held firm to keep a clean sheet, the attacking unit was largely invisible.
Nick Pope earned a respectable 7/10 for his routine handling, and Kieran Trippier matched that score with a 7/10, playing through a head wound to try and spark some life into the team.
Malick Thiaw also stood out with a 7/10, looking steady at the back and nearly scoring the winner. However, as we move further up the pitch, the scores begin to tell a much grimmer story.
The midfield battle was a mixed bag. Joelinton was perhaps the pick of the bunch, earning a 7/10 for his tireless work rate and physical presence. In contrast, Sandro Tonali struggled immensely, picking up a yellow card and looking increasingly frustrated before being substituted.
His 5/10 rating was a fair reflection of a performance that never really got going. Bruno Guimarães fared slightly better with a 6/10, but he was far from his influential best, only managing a meaningful contribution in the final minutes of the game.
The real concern, however, lies with the frontline. Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes both struggled to make an impact against a resolute Wolves defense. Gordon, usually the spark for this team, could only manage one accurate cross before being hooked in the 67th minute, earning a 6/10. Barnes, who looked slightly more comfortable after switching to the left wing, also finished with a disappointing 5/10.
The lowest marks of the day were reserved for the central strikers. Nick Woltemade’s performance was particularly alarming, earning a dismal 3/10. The German forward, who arrived with so much promise, appeared completely devoid of confidence.
He managed just thirteen touches before being substituted and failed to show any real power or intent when attacking crosses. Unfortunately, the changes did not bring the desired effect.
Both Yoane Wissa and Anthony Elanga received 3/10 ratings after coming off the bench, as neither player managed to provide the spark or impact needed to break the deadlock.
| Newcastle Player Ratings | Score | Key Takeaway |
| Nick Pope | 7/10 | Solid and dependable; did his job. |
| Kieran Trippier | 7/10 | Led by example despite a head injury. |
| Malick Thiaw | 7/10 | Unlucky to hit the post; strong at the back. |
| Joelinton | 7/10 | The only midfielder who consistently battled. |
| Bruno Guimarães | 6/10 | A quiet afternoon by his high standards. |
| Anthony Gordon | 6/10 | Lacked his usual creative spark. |
| Sandro Tonali | 5/10 | Frustrated and ineffective before being subbed. |
| Nick Woltemade | 3/10 | Looks lost; needs a goal to find his feet. |
| Yoane Wissa (Sub) | 3/10 | Failed to get into the game at all. |
| Anthony Elanga (Sub) | 3/10 | No impact during his time on the pitch. |
This result feels like a missed opportunity for Newcastle to climb into the top five. With crucial matches against Liverpool and Aston Villa on the horizon, the lack of clinical finishing is becoming a major talking point.
Eddie Howe now faces a difficult task: he must find a way to reignite an attacking unit that has suddenly gone cold, or risk seeing their European dreams slip away.
